This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
For once, i thought it prudent to do OLCI the night before - I know I will never ever be able to gain the coveted SEQ1, but the prospect of it being primarily a holiday flight, I did not want to lose our seats in the A Section.
The following morning, I received a text from Tristar saying our original car had gone technical and a replacement would be with us 15 mins later than planned. Given that we had booked for a 6am pick up for a 10am flight - to make the most of the Clubhouse - meant this was not going to be a problem
The car turned up as promised and 20 minutes later we were pulling into Gatwick. The southern walkway between car park and terminal is currently closed so it was a little trek to go all the way down to the northern walkway before having to come back on oneself to get to the VS Check In area.
It still being before 7, Upper Check in was deserted and after some light banter and some proper Boarding Passes issued were off to the Fastrack Channel. This is a tiny doorway just before the main security entrance and it being Gatwick, no matter that there were only a few people ahead of us, the fact that these retired folks did not realise that you had to take stuff out of your pockets and remove trainers kept many waiting -if a little amused
On arrival at the Clubhouse, the usual receptionist welcomed us back as though we had never been away
It has been almost a year since we last visited the Gatwick Clubhouse (after it had just re-opened following the refurbishment) and what we noticed almost immediately is how the old heart of the place has now been reinvigorated. Some of the old regular members of staff may not have been there, but the dedication and commitment of the team is something that puts it head and shoulders above Heathrow IMHO. Friendly engagement was the order of the day and the often perceived "Cloak of Invisibility" at Heathrow is nowhere to be found.On arrival we made a beeline for the Spa, and Mrs Buns booked the Hand and Arm Rejuvenating Treatment and I a massage. I am sure that it is more than a little coincidental, but as Mrs Bun's was having a paid treatment, we found that our timings could be synchronised
Treatments booked, we then sat down at the Brasserie for our full english 
Afterwards we retired to a quiet corner to catch up on a few last phone calls and E-Mails - at no time were we ignored by the staff and constantly offered top ups of Champs The treatments were just the trick to see us fully relaxed for our flight and after another sit down, the flight was called. As we bade our farewells, the Receptionist remarked on our V-Flyer Luggage Tags [Pete Take note - VS Staffers do seem to like the tags
]A short walk to Gate 35 (well it could have been a long walk come to think of it
) and we went straight to the priority board sign and were processed and joined the queue on the Jetway. Greeted by "Welcome back Mr Buns" 
I was directed to my seat in the A Zone, Mrs Buns was greeted by the other Cabin Crew member and followed.From here on in, I have to eat my words. I have often said that a good FSM makes a good flight. Well, our experience here was that a somewhat "retiring" FSM who did little engage with passengers was eclipsed not only by the CC who greeted me on board but also the CC who was serving our Zone.
After the initial pleasantries of 'would you like a drink....have you travelled with us before.. would you like to know how the seat works?" after take off he returned and offered profuse apologies that he had not previously acknowledged our Gold Status
He again thanked us for our continued custom and consistently addressed us by name for the rest of the flight. Now it may have been that we were the only Golds in the A Zone, but his professionalism shone throughout, yet not once did he give us any preferential treatment.There was clearly a run on the beef and the CC discreetly went up to a staffer travelling in the UC Cabin and got him to change - a seasoned V-Flyer traveller would have noticed, but I am sure that no-one else did. This Cabin Crew was a Hero and despite asking for a Form from the FSM and not getting one - an Online form has been completed (Thanks Nick
) Both of us declined the starters - well the soup could have been a little too adventurous give the turbulence
and went for the beef, which was excellent and mrs buns had the cheese for desert. Food service was well done, even though it was pretty bumpy by this time and then some little light relief was had when I watched "Death at a Funeral". I often don't believe the hype printed in the seat back magazine, but here was a film that is an absolute gem. Just like "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" on face value, nothing really going for it, no big stars and a pretty narrow storyline, but this kept me riveted from start to finish Afternoon tea soon followed and all too quickly the 8 hour 10 minute flight drew to a close. Flying over the entire western and southern coastlines of Barbados gave us on the A side of the aircraft a perfect view of our intended holiday destinations and touching down and having the steps brought up to the aircraft, brought back happy memories of early travels to Spain and the like
Although quickly off the aircraft, we had just followed in two Flights from the US (I can say this was always the case for the 10am departure from Gatwick as the VS plane always flew over our hotel
), so the Immigration Hall was pretty full, so 30 minutes later we were at the carousel only to later realise our bags had already been taken off and being "guarded" by the porters who seemed only too keen to help out the premium passengers Out into the open we made our way to the VH Desk and a car was quickly summoned to take us to our resort.
So, especially due to the attentive member of Cabin Crew, this was one of the best flights we have had with VS
As others have often found to their cost, the return can be less than stellar - for you eager readers you will have to wait and see Thanks for reading
buns
so glad that you had a great VS experience and that the little things that make an excellent crew and flight all happened.
Whilst Barbados is a wonderful Island with some really charming people, we did visit in off season and I wonder what the place would be like when full. Also we were at a great All Inclusive and we one went to one of the top Notch Restaurants - Daphne's - and realised how much the holiday could have cost us 
